Revelation 5:8

Successive songs of praise to the Lamb, Revelation 5:8-14.

8. When he had taken Greek aorist, when he took, making the triumphal chant of the cherubic beasts and the elders in instantaneous consequence. The four, as nearer the throne, and as creation is antecedent to the Church, precede in the act of grateful adoration. This remarkable prostration is before the Lamb an unquestionable divine honour.

Having Probably referring to the elders alone; for, 1. The word would not well, grammatically, in the Greek, refer to beasts; 2. The words hast redeemed could hardly include the representatives of the creation; and 3. The part of the beasts seems to have been the final responsive Amen of Revelation 5:14.

Harps The κιθαρα , ( cithara, whence our guitar,) the Septuagint name for David’s harp, is described by Josephus as fitted with ten strings, and when played was usually struck with a plectrum or key: yet it is described in the Psalms as struck by David with the fingers. Probably both modes were used.

Golden vials Rather, saucers. They were the censers, or broad shallow bowls, exposing as much surface as practicable from which to roll up the incense.

Odours Incenses. For the composition of the incense, see note on Hebrews 9:14.

Which are That is, represent.

The prayers The censer, with its glowing ingredients, represents the human heart with its devout emotions, and the rise of the fragrant incense represents the ascent of acceptable prayers.